Union County, KY Roof Snow Load - 15 psf
Union County, KY: your roof's ASCE 7 snow number, in plain English
Union County's roofs are built to hold 15 psf of snow, the ASCE 7-22 figure a permit reviewer checks first. The physics-based figure alone would be 10.5 psf, but ASCE 7's own low-slope minimum (§7.3.4) sets a floor of 15 psf for flat and low-pitch roofs here, which is the number that actually governs.
In depth, not weight: that's roughly 33 inches of fresh, light snow, 12 inches of old, settled snow, or as little as 3 inches of solid ice - snow that heavy is rare here but ice from a freeze-thaw cycle adds up far faster than the depth suggests. A meaningful design load. Most homes built to modern code handle it, but additions, carports, and flat-roofed sections are worth a second look.
Union County, KY: quick facts
- Design roof snow load15 psf
- Ground snow load, ASCE 7 map15 psf
- National rank#1,518 of 2,758
- Kentucky rank#85 of 120
- Population13,178
- Annual snowfall, NOAA normal12.4 in.
- FIPS21225
Union County by the numbers
Nationally that's #1,518 out of 2,758 rated counties, the top 55%; within Kentucky alone, Union County ranks #85 of 120. Kentucky counties average 15.7 psf; Union County runs 0.7 psf lower than that.
Union County, FIPS 21225, is home to 13,178 people near 37.658°N 87.9517°W. Its 15 psf ground snow load figure is the map value; 15 psf is what a roof is actually designed for.
Union County's snowfall, most winters
12.4 in. a year: that's Union County's NOAA 1991-2020 snowfall normal, measured at HENDERSON 8 SSW, KY US (18 mi away). See the density guide.
Before you rely on Union County's number
Treat the Union County figure as a starting point, not a final answer: it assumes standard occupancy, a heated structure and a moderately sheltered site, per ASCE 7-22's own defaults. Exposed terrain, an unheated building or a steeper roof all shift the real number.
For a real application, skip the county number and go straight to the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool - enter your coordinates and it returns a site-specific figure a plan reviewer will recognize. Details: the calculation guide.